(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Big Mr Tong” April 2023

"From Out Of Space... A Warning And An Ultimatum!"

Following the successful completion of another (exhausting) Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I usually find my enthusiasm for the hobby rather depleted during this month as a rule. However, the regular release of new and exciting STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from the likes of "Big Mr Tong" on his "Patreon" subscription service means I'm still feeling pretty chipper about pigmenting another large-scale swathe of 3D printed figures.

Resultantly, I plan to focus upon some of the prolific sculptor's latest miniatures over the next four or so weeks, and finally start play-testing the homemade rule-set I want to use them with for an upcoming campaign. In addition, I still have a couple of 7.5cm Tank Hunter Gun Teams by "Battlefront Miniatures" to finish for my "Flames Of War" German D-Day Beach Defence Company, before plunging though a mass of "Games Workshop" Sons of Horus space marines. I had optimistically been hoping to be further along with these two long-standing projects, as once completed I was thinking of purchasing some of "Warlord Games" Thirty Years War Epic Battles models. However, I have now pushed that goal back and may well not pick any of the 'Black Powder' sprues up until I'm at "Salute"...

"It's like hitting them with tennis balls."

Happily, I haven't just spent the past few days planning what I'm going to paint for the foreseeable though. But have actually completed two more 10mm metal American medium tanks which used to sold by “Pendraken Miniatures” as Code A10 - Sherman M4A4, no skirts, 75mm gun. Initially primed with two layers of "Vallejo" USA Olive Drab, the armoured vehicles were subsequently washed with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" USA Olive Drab.

I then 'picked out' the tracks and wheels with a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and a double-helping of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before repainting their track/wheel mechanisms with (more) "Vallejo" USA Olive Drab and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Finally, I decided to apply a trio of Allied Stars to the M4 Shermans using some supplied by "Decal Details", as well as the titles "Vagabond" and "Kraut Killer" from their 10mm US Armour Names and Slogans sheet.

March 2023 - "Papsikels Miniatures" completely overhauls "Big Mr Tong"

Undoubtedly the impetus of the AHPC provided me with the motivation to progress an amazing number of models throughout March 2023. These predominantly consisted of numerous science-fiction related 3D prints by "Papsikels Miniatures", which saw the "Patreon" Subscription Service's popularity top my favourite manufacturer's chart. However, my determination to get 50-points worth of "Flames Of War" Germans on the tabletop also caused me to rattle through four Panzer IV tank kits by "Battlefront Miniatures". alongside a camouflaged 7.5cm Anti-Tank gun and supporting crew.

Doubtless, the sheer number of splendid sculpts produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" will undoubtedly see the range receive plenty of attention during the next few weeks. But, having cast my eye on some future dates for some "Horus Heresy" battles, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see "Games Workshop" making a strong impact upon my hobby too - especially once I've sated my current appetite gaming the Second World War...

"My Mommy Always Said There Were No Monsters."

"But there are."

These three 32mm scale Cheetah Aliens are produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and can be downloaded for free as part of a six-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their "Patreon" subscription November 2022 release - Aliens Verses Skull Hunters 2.. Based upon a species of H.R.Giger's infamous deadly xenomorphs, the figures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

Originally, I had thought about making the cult classic monsters a dark yellow to try and tie them in from being spawned out of some hapless big cats. But this seemed to be too great a variance to the predominantly black, oily coloured killers shown on the Silver Screen. Fortuitously, I then spotted a statue of a xenomorph crouched on all fours which H.R. Giger had exhibited at the opening of the Austrian Ars Electronica institute in 2013.

"The Shield Wall is gone."

The disconcerting looking sculpture was a deep, dark brown with a solid black forehead, so once I had super-glued my miniatures onto some "Citadel" 60mm oval bases, I immediately primed them in Doom Death Black by "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats". I next gave my half dozen models a thorough dry-brush of Scorched Earth and shaded them all with Oblivion Black Wash to help make their base layer look very dark indeed.

I then more delicately (re)dry-brushed the models with (more) Scorched Earth, before applying a light highlight of Dust Bowl across all the prominent raised areas. Finally, to help better blend this all together, I gave the fearsome fiends an absolute drowning in Battle Mud Wash. This just left me needing to 'pick out' all the aliens' metal teeth with a combination of Sir Coates Silver and Oblivion Black Wash, as well as apply a coat of Doom Death Black (and later "Coat D'arms" Gloss Varnish) across their foreheads.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - Silvia Dela Torres is slowly having her details 'picked out'

Alongside my latest entry for the Thirteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have also finished/submitted (yet) another 28mm scale Sardaukar sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" which I produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer. Based upon David Lynch's 1984 American science-fiction film "Dune", the miniature was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, Steel Blue, Gunmetal, "Citadel" Nuln Oil, "Scalecolor" White Alchemy and the "Citadel" Contrast paint Warp Lightning.

Lastly, and returning back to both "Papsikels Miniatures" and their (not) "Alien" franchise figures, I have almost finished pigmenting space crew maintenance worker Silvia Dela Torres. This 32mm sculpt should bag me a bonus 20-points in the AHPC, as she'll make an excellent proxy for actress Sigourney Weaver when entered in the event's Casting Couch category...

"Those Other Robots Aren't Any Friendlier Than Doctor Frankenstein's Monster."

"Think there are any more?"

These four 28mm scale Sentry Robots were sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" and can be downloaded for free as part of a ten-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from his "Patreon" subscription service. Based upon Hans Reinhardt's security forces aboard the U.S.S. Cygnus in Gary Nelson’s 1979 American science fiction film “The Black Hole", the miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

Responsible for capturing Frank McCrae's crew and turning them into "Humanoids", the automatons were primed using plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. They were then thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red, and had all their eyes and blasters layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black." These areas were later ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal” and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"At an appointed time Baron Harkonnen will return to Arrakis and launch a sneak attack on House Atreides."

Finally, to help illustrate that these particular Sentry Robots were part of Maximillian's "crack squad", I applied a lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black base layer to one of the panels on the back of their heads, before treating the area to a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal” and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Luckily, this intricate detail is very clear on the "Big Mr Tong" sculpts I 3D printed (as opposed to the ones I bought from “Twisted Pinnacle 3D” on "Etsy", so it wasn't as difficult a task as I initially feared.

Alongside my latest entry for the Thirteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have also finished/submitted another 28mm scale Sardaukar sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" which I produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer. Based upon David Lynch's vision of the "elite military force" as first seen in his 1984 American science-fiction film "Dune", the miniature was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, Steel Blue, Gunmetal, "Citadel" Nuln Oil, "Scalecolor" White Alchemy and the "Citadel" Contrast paint Warp Lightning.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - Silvia Dela Torres has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Lastly, I've made some progress on my first 32mm 3D printed sculpt by "Papsikels Miniatures". Space crew maintenance worker Silvia Dela Torres bears a striking resemblance to Ellen Ripley from the "Alien" franchise, so I thought she would make a good start to (yet) another project focusing upon the numerous science fiction characters made famous through "Twentieth Century Studios" movies.

In addition, the figure should gain me an extra 20 points for the AHPC as part of its film studio-based bonus rounds. I wasn't intending to utilise this element of the event. But having almost inadvertently obtained similar rewards for painting Science Fiction and (then) Eighties-based figures, it seemed rude not to; especially as these 'pick me ups' will allow me to attain my target tally of 500-points all the quicker...

"I Want Fifty Legions Of Sardaukar On Arrakis At Once!"

"This is genocide... The deliberate and systematic destruction of all life on Arrakis."

These four 28mm scale Sardaukar were sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" and can be downloaded for free as part of a ten-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from his "Patreon" subscription service. Based upon David Lynch's vision of the Emperor's elite warriors as first seen in his 1984 American science-fiction film "Dune", the miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

The models were primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and heavily dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. Their belts were then 'picked out using a thin line of "Vallejo" Steel Blue, and their lasguns with Gunmetal. As a final touch, each figure was mercilessly marinated in "Citadel" Nuln Oil (so as to recreate the smoky black appearance of their survival suits as seen on the Silver Screen) and their distinctive green face-visor fabricated using a combination of "Scalecolor" White Alchemy and the "Citadel" Contrast paint Warp Lightning.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - These Sentry Robots are ready for their metallics to be applied

Alongside my third submission for the Thirteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have managed to progress another five-figure batch of Big Mr Tong's 28mm scale Sentry Robots. I've actually painted ten of these miniatures before, back when I didn't own a 3D printer, yet unlike the ones I bought from “Twisted Pinnacle 3D” on "Etsy", none of the hand-weapons broke off the models during their clean-up.

As a result I wanted to make the quintet stand out a little bit from the others, so looked to Gary Nelson’s 1979 American science fiction film “The Black Hole” for inspiration, and found it with Hans Reinhardt's scathing criticism of Maximillian's security forces following Doctor Kate McCrae's rescue from the Cygnus' Hospital - "Your crack unit, outwitted and outfought by some Earth robot and that antique from storage!"

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - Three Retained Knights all ready for shading

This has caused me to start 'picking out' the metallic panel on the back of their heads in preparation for pigmenting them with "Vallejo" Gunmetal and somewhat awkwardly designating them as part of Maximillian's aforementioned elite force, This detail is actually visible on all the Sentry Robots seen in the film (along with some side plates) but was something I never bothered to pick out on my original ten figures,

Lastly, a clumsy spill (or rather splodge) of "Vallejo" Heavy Red has given me some considerable incentive to finish three (more) 15mm Retained Knights by “Alternative Armies”. In the past I've completed quite a few of these 'beaky' sculpts from the company's "The Ion Age" range to use as proxy space marines, so having had my accident, I quickly dusted down a trio of previously-started (not) Blood Angels, and put what paint I could save to immediate good use...

"You're Doomed! You're All Doomed!"

"I'm a messenger of God. You're doomed if you stay here!"

This 40mm scale resin figure of Jason was sculpted by Nikola Stankovic and 3D printed for me by "Encounter Terrain". The miniature's STL (Standard Triangle Language) file is available under the creator Splunjohnny on "Cults" website and was clearly inspired by Sean S. Cunningham's 1980 American slasher film "Friday The 13th".

"Depicted as a non-verbal, indestructible, machete-wielding mass murderer" Voorhees was undercoated with a double helping of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before having his trousers treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Stormy Blue and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The homicidal maniac's jumper was then pigmented with "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and a splash of Carroburg Crimson to suggest it was somewhat blood-soaked from a previous kill.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - 3D printed/primed Sardaukar and a Sentry Robot

I tidied up Jason's shirt and boots with a little more "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and applied plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown to his tattered jacket. This garment was later shaded using "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. In addition, I gave his machete a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Ordinarily I would then go back and dry-brush the actual blade with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal. However, I wanted to keep the hand-weapon dull-looking, to tie-in with the 'undead' look, so didn't bother on this occasion. Instead I applied some "Vallejo" White to the villain's infamous hockey face-mask, and found myself rather perturbed by how 'chalky' it had become, despite watering it down. As a result, I turned to White Star from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" range, and once that had dried, dirtied it up with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - 3D printed/primed Sardaukar and a Sentry Robot

Finally, I 'picked out' the raised stripes on the sculpt's headwear with some lines of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and a dash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I also gave the monster's hands, head and neck a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and wash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I did consider bloodying these areas up a bit with some (more) "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. But chose to simply leave them be, and stuck with the bare hands even after I spotted plenty of pictures of the silver screen slayer wearing black gloves.

With the start of the Thirteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge now less than a day away, I have spent some considerable time 3D printing, basing and priming more of the 28mm scale figures I hope to pigment during the event. In addition to expanding my collection of Sardaukar troopers by "Big Mr Tong", I have also produced some extra Sentry Robots to help bolster up the automatons bought from "Twisted Pinnacle 3D" (via "Etsy") I painted earlier this year...

"Lava Beasts... Inhabit Deep Volcanic Regions."

"Their bodies are comprised of amorphous glowing rock and mineral deposits."

This 28mm metal miniature of a Lava Beast Skull is produced by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and was a free stretch goal unlocked during their successful Pirates of Luna City Kickstarter. As I wanted to use the model as an objective marker I simply super-glued it to the usual thin-lipped 40mm plastic circular bases I use, and once dry set about undercoating it with a double-helping of “Vallejo" White.

I rather liked the 'official' colour scheme for this 'MacGuffin' so applied a wash of "Citadel" Druchii Violet over the entire skull. I then dry-brushed the miniature with (more) "Vallejo" White to bring out all the sculpt's marvellous detail. I also decided that the purple shade hadn't quite made the eye and nose sockets as forebodingly dark as I wanted, so ended up dabbing some "Citadel" Abaddon Black into these recesses. Finally I tidied everything up with a few carefully placed edge highlights of (even more) "Vallejo" White.

"Take the young lady to the hospital."

Alongside the first model of my new "Flash Gordon" project, I have completed the last four 28mm scale 3D printed resin Sentry Robots I own which are sold under licence by “Twisted Pinnacle 3D”.  Sculpted by Mike Tongue (a.k.a. Big Mr Tong), the figures are highly evocative of Hans Reinhardt's security forces aboard the U.S.S. Cygnus in Gary Nelson’s 1979 American science fiction film “The Black Hole”, and were painted accordingly.

The miniatures arrived covered in several small ‘bobbles’ of resin, and these needed to be removed with a sharp modelling knife before I could paint them. I also found that a couple of the automaton's blasters had been broken during transport. I'm not really surprised though, as these pieces, particularly the weapons' long slender barrels, were thin to begin with.

"Battlefront Miniatures" WIPs - Four German Panzergrenadiers

Infamous for capturing the crew of the Cygnus and turning them into zombie-like humanoids, each figure was undercoated with a double-helping of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, before being drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. They were then enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red, and had both their eyes and blasters layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black." Finally, these areas were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal” and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Lastly, I have started working on another four plastic 15mm miniatures by “Battlefront Miniatures”. These soldiers are from their excellent “Hit The Beach” starter set for “Flames Of War” and should enable me to field the fourth of six MG34 and K98 Rifle teams I require for my second (maximum-strength) German Panzergrenadier Platoon...

"The XVIth Legion Has Always Had A Reputation For Aggression..."

"...And employing swift overwhelming shock assaults against enemy forces."

These two 15mm miniatures are sold by “Alternative Armies” as part of their "The Ion Age" range and can be found inside IAF008 Retained Knight Post Charlie. One of the figures is carrying an Angis Rifle, whilst the other holds a mighty Anvil 888 Launcher. As a I intend to use these single-cast metal models as a proxy stand of Sons Of Horus Heavy Weapon space marines for some tabletop battles in the "Warhammer 30K" universe, they were both super-glued onto a small-sized plastic "Flames Of War" base by “Battlefront Miniatures”.

I then undercoated them both "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, before heavily shading the ‘beakies' with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The duo were later dry-brushed them with (more) Sons Of Horus Green and had a couple of their shoulder-pads, as well as the tops of their backpacks and firearms layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. Both miniatures' power units and rifles were subsequently treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and had a thin line of watered-down "Citadel" Abaddon Black drawn along their visor slits. Finally, I decided to spend some additional time on them by 'picking out' the odd shoulder-pad ridge with a little "Vallejo" Gold and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Quarks, reload force units."

Alongside my latest 15mm Retained Knights, I have also completed a second Quark by "Black Tree Design". Like its predecessor this 28mm metal figure from the Penzance-based company’s "Doctor Who" miniatures range had already been previously partially-painted (probably) using some "Vallejo" Black Surface Primer, “Citadel” Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil.

Resultantly I just thought to tidy it up by darkening the internal areas around its folding arms with an extra splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushing them with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal. I also stuck to ‘picking out’ the tiny rectangular areas beneath the bipedal machine’s sensory hemisphere with a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"Twisted Pinnacle 3D" WIPs - These Sentry Robots just need some shading on their metallic areas

I also applied some "Scalecolor" Speed Metal to the robot's sensors, shaded them with “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and subsequently lightly dabbed these tiny nodules with (more) "Scalecolor" Speed Metal. As a last touch the Quark’s directional crystal beam transmitters were treated to some "Vallejo" White, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" White, so they would look more crystalline than metallic.

Alongside these reasonably 'quick wins' I've managed to get some "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade onto four more of the Sentry Robots sold under licence by “Twisted Pinnacle 3D”. These marvellous 3D printed figures have also been dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red, so just need their metallic eyes and blasters to be properly pigmented before being completed...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Twisted Pinnacle 3D" August 2022

A mixture of sculpts by “Rocket Pig Games” and "Big Mister Tong"

This month's endeavour to condense my ‘plastic preserve of promise’ will largely focus upon several figures I’ve previously had 3D printed by the likes of “FullyCycled” and “Encounter Terrain”. These companies will either simply produce any STL files which you send them, or actually sell resin models under licence from their sculptor on the American e-commerce website “Etsy”. In addition, I also hope to finish painting a few figures produced through the online character design application “Forge World”.

To begin with though, I thought I’d simply complete the remaining 28mm Sentry Robots I recently purchased from “Twisted Pinnacle 3D” and have already finished one. The figure was fashioned by Mike Tongue (a.k.a. Big Mr Tong) and is highly reminiscent of Doctor Reinhardt's security forces aboard the U.S.S. Cygnus in Gary Nelson’s 1979 American science fiction film “The Black Hole”.

"They were captured by the sentry robots and are still on board."

With its ‘head sharing a fair similarity to Darth Vader's helmet’, the model was undercoated with a double-layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, before being shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. It was then fervently dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red, and had its eyes and blaster pigmented with "Citadel" Abaddon Black." Finally, these areas were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal” and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Alongside my Sentry Robot I have also dusted down a handful of large(ish) models designed by “Rocket Pig Games”, which were ultimately ‘shelved’ last year following my disappointment at the underwhelming size of their 3D prints. Supposedly produced at 54mm scale, the likes of a Terror Tree, Clockwork Mastodon and Clockwork Tyrannosaurus Rex were disappointingly small when compared to some of the 40mm and 32mm figures I already owned from the same range.

July 2022 - Lots of 15mm Retained Knights have helped "Alternative Armies" make my Top Five table

Happily, my output over the past four weeks has been pretty steady and in line with the past few years overall. Much of this productivity has undeniably been due to the half-dozen 15mm Retained Knight sculpts I've completed, along with a handful of other models from The Ion Age by "Alternative Armies". These predominantly single-cast metal miniatures have definitely kept me sane whilst I've been busy 'off-camera' assembling lots of 28mm multi-part plastic Tactical Space Marines from The Horus Heresy boxed set by Games Workshop.

I don't plan on stopping with the smaller scale 'Beakies' for the foreseeable future either, as due to their size and reasonable ease of painting, they make some simple diversions from the 'solid slog' of the Thirty First Millennium. This month should though start seeing the first of my finished Sons Of Horus traitors, which will doubtless help keep my motivation going for what could be a truly massive project...

"Have You Met The Goon Squad?"

"Maximilian and my robots only run this ship the way I wish it run."

These four 28mm scale 3D printed resin models of some Sentry Robots are sold under licence by “Twisted Pinnacle 3D” and were sculpted by Mike Tongue (a.k.a. Big Mr Tong). The figures are highly evocative of Hans Reinhardt's security forces aboard the U.S.S. Cygnus in Gary Nelson’s 1979 American science fiction film “The Black Hole”, and were painted accordingly.

The miniatures arrived without any obvious support struts still remaining on them from the 3D printing process. But were covered in several small ‘bobbles’ of resin which needed to be removed with a sharp modelling knife. I also found that a couple of the automaton's blasters had been broken during transport. These pieces, particularly the weapons' long slender barrels, were thin to begin with and I unfortunately broke off another one whilst cleaning them.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of the ten MK VI Armoured Space Marines currently being progressed

"Silent and obedient", each model was undercoated with a double-helping of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, before being drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. They were then enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red, and had both their eyes and blasters layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black." Finally, these areas were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal” and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Alongside my Sentry Robots, I've spent a third hour working on a ten-man unit of 28mm plastic Tactical Space Marines wearing MK VI armour by "Games Workshop". Having finished dry-brushing them all with "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, I'm now patiently starting to 'pick out' a number of different areas in Abaddon Black - starting with their bolters.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - These Retained Knights just need some shading 

I did initially begin this factory line process on the squad's sergeant, applying "Citadel" Abaddon Black to all the various weapons, armour joints, and equipment I could find in preparation of finishing him off first. However, I actually found this process rather tedious and demotivating, so instead of pigmenting all the black parts on an individual model in one go, I've split this chore down into a few separate sessions, such as bolter, shoulder-pads and joints. Hopefully, this should make matters a bit more digestible.

In addition, I have been working on another three-man base of "Alternative Armies" 15mm Retained Knights, as I want to expand my 'Sons Of Horus' infantry contingent some more. These figures are actually quite close to completion, and just need their metallic areas to be painted and shaded...

"The Most Ancient Black Puddings..."

"...Are vast pools of inky death."

This pre-painted 28mm scale plastic miniature of an Elder Black Pudding is by "Wizkids" and is one of the "randomly assorted monsters" found in their "exciting line of Dungeons & Dragons miniatures, Icons Of The Realms." Happily however, I didn't need to attempt to collect all forty-five of the "Boneyard" models, and instead picked it up from a dealer at this year's Southampton Comic Con.

Reaching an impressive 95mm in height, and sculpted so as to allow a 'normal-sized' foot figure to be placed inside its grisly expanse, the model was actually left on its transparent stand and simply super-glued to a "Citadel" 100mm circular base. The creature was then primed with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and finally drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"The Warmaster's Own"

Alongside my "gargantuan Ooze" I have also pigmented three more 15mm metal miniatures taken from "The Ion Age" range by “Alternative Armies”. These 'beakies' are all from IAF008 Retained Knight Post Charlie and are carrying Angis Rifles. Ordinarily, the sci-fi soldiers are fielded in Lances of twenty-two men by the Prydian Army, but as I intended to use them as proxy Sons Of Horus space marines they were super-glued upon a medium-sized plastic "Flames Of War" base by “Battlefront Miniatures”.

Each model was undercoated with two layers of "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, before being shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and later dry-brushed with (more) Sons Of Horus Green.  I next applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to their shoulder-pads, as well as the tops of their backpacks and firearms. All the miniatures' power units and rifles were subsequently treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Twisted Pinnacle 3D" WIPs - These four Sentry Robots have been dry-brushed and base layered

Finally, I carefully placed a thin line of watered-down "Citadel" Abaddon Black into both models' visor slits and 'picked out' the ridges of  the occasional shoulder-pad with a little "Vallejo" Gold and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Due to the thickness of their single-cast stands, the Retained Knights required a few sausages of Green-stuff to encircled them before I could grit (and flock) their bases.

Staying with science fiction, I have made some more progress on the Sentry Robots sold under licence by “Twisted Pinnacle 3D”. The models have now all had their metallic eyes and blasters layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, ready for some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil...

"Long Before The First Shots Of The Horus Heresy Were Fired..."

...Horus was planning how best to cement his control over the Legions, his own especially."

This 28mm plastic miniature of a Space Marine is by "Games Workshop" and comes from the now OOP (Out Of Production) Burning Of Prospero boxed game. The multi-part figure has been assembled wearing MK III armour, and is one of ten figures I plan to field as my first Sons of Horus Tactical Squad for the Horus Heresy.

The figure was initially undercoated with "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, before being heavily washed with Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) Sons Of Horus Green. I then applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to both his shoulder-pads, as well parts of his backpack and Bolter.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three Sons of Horus Tactical Space Marines

The model's power tubes and firearm were subsequently treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst I 'picked out' all the ridges on his shoulder-pads and helmet's brow with a little "Vallejo" Gold. These areas were later given a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and highlighted with some additional touches of "Vallejo" Gold on the sharpest edges and rivets.

As a final touch I applied some "Scalecolor" Speed Metal to the Space Marine's eye slits, and then a single layer of the "Citadel" Contrast colour Flesh Tearers Red. I also applied one of the many decals found on the "Games Workshop" Sons of Horus Legion transfer sheet onto the space marine's right shoulder-pad. I did consider placing a second, different decal onto the other one, but then thought it was something I might do at a later date - as I rather liked the bare black colour scheme.

"Twisted Pinnacle 3D" WIPs - These four Sentry Robots have been primed, layered and shaded

In addition to my finished pilot piece, I have also been making some steady progress on three more similar Space Marines. These miniatures are arguably close to completion, as they essentially just need their "Vallejo" Gold trim to be applied before all their metallic areas are washed, and then the models simply tidied up.

Lastly, I've managed to get some "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade onto four more of the Sentry Robots sold under licence by “Twisted Pinnacle 3D”. To be honest I'm finding these resin figures' blasters a little fragile, as a few snapped off during their postal trip, and then broke off during priming. Hopefully though, I won't have any more accidents, and these fine-looking 3D printed figures will be on the tabletop soon...

“Who's The Flashy Black Hat?”

“S-T-A-R. Special Troops Arms Regiment.”

This 28mm scale 3D printed resin model of a Sentry Robot is sold under licence by “Twisted Pinnacle 3D” and was sculpted by Mike Tongue (a.k.a. Big Mr Tong). The figure is very reminiscent of Hans Reinhardt's former “number one” automaton S.T.A.R. in Gary Nelson’s 1979 American science fiction film “The Black Hole”, and so was painted up accordingly.

The miniature initially had several small ‘bobbles’ removed from it with a sharp modelling knife and was then primed using two coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black. It was then cheerfully dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and doused in “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Finally, the android’s eyes and blasters were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal” and (more) “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"Twisted Pinnacle 3D" WIPs - These Laser Drones have been primed, layered and shaded

Alongside my Sentry Robot I also received a quartet of Laser Drones as a much-appreciated free gift and have subsequently made a start on two of them. The sculpts are clearly heavily influenced by Terry Nation’s Daleks, so I thought I’d predominantly paint them in the same way as I have previously pigmented the “extra-terrestrial race of mutants.”

In addition, I have built the HQ choice for my 28mm Sons of Horus force for "The Horus Heresy". This model is predominantly comprised of pieces taken from the Praetor with Power Axe plastic kit found inside the Horus Heresy: Age Of Darkness starter box by "Games Workshop", but was then 'converted' mid-assembly using a "Forge World" resin shoulder-pad and a Mark III helmet taken from the Burning Of Prospero board game.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - A converted Praetor with Power Axe

To be honest this was one of the most difficult figures I have ever had to put together. I don't mind models coming in lots of separate parts. However, "Games Workshop" seem to have taken this to a new level with this particular sculpt, as even the individual folds in the space marine's cloak came as small, individual bits of plastic.

Obviously my kit-bashing didn't help matters either, especially when I realised that the seemingly whole bare right shoulder-pad I replaced wasn't actually as complete as I imagined, and had been slightly adapted to fit underneath the Praetor's cloak strap. Luckily, copious amounts of colourful metaphors and super-glue did eventually see the ensemble stuck together, and a well-placed severed head taken from a Bloodletter banner even blocked any sign of the officer's power leads not connecting properly around his Mark VI armour...